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F>RICB 26 CENTS 




Successful Rural Plays 

A Strong List From Which to Select Your . 
Next. Play 

FA1M FOLKS. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur 
Lewis Tubbs. For five male and six female characters. Time 
of playing, two hours and a half. One simple exterior, two 
easy interior scenes. Costumes, modern. Flora Goodwin, a 
farmer's daughter, is engaged to Philip Burleigh, a young New 
Yorker. Philip's mother wants him to marry a society woman, 
and by falsehoods makes Flora believe Philip does not love her. 
Dave Weston, who wants Flora himself, helps the deception by 
intercepting a letter from Philip to Flora. She agrees to marry 
Dave, but on the eve of their marriage Dave confesses, Philip 
learns the truth, and he and Flora are reunited. It is a simple 
plot, but full of speeches and situations that sway an audience 
alternately to tears and to laughter. 

HOME TIES. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur 
Lewis Tubbs. Characters, four male, five female. Plays two 
hours and a half. Scene, a simple interior — same for all four 
acts. Costumes, modern. One of the strongest plays Mr. Tubbs 
has written. Martin Winn's wife left him when his daughter 
Ruth was a baby. Harold Vincent, the nephew and adopted son 
of the man who has wronged Martin, makes love to Ruth Winn. 
She is also loved by Len Everett, a prosperous young farmer 
When Martin discovers who Harold is, he orders him to leave 
Ruth. Harold, who does not love sincerely, yields. Ruth dis- 
covers she loves Len, but thinks she has lost him also. Then 
he comes back, and Ruth finds her happiness. 

THE OLD NEW HAMPSHIRE HOME. A New 

England Drama in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For seven 
males and four females. Time, two hours and a half. Costumes, 
modern. A play with a strong heart interest and pathos, yet rich 
in humor. Easy to act and very effective. A rural drama of 
the "Old Homstead" and "Way Down East" type. Two ex- 
terior scenes, one interior, all easy to set. Full of strong sit- 
uations and delightfully humorous passages. The kind of a play 
everybody understands and likes. 

THE OLD DAIRY HOMESTEAD. A Rural Comedy 
in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For five males and four 
females. Time, two hours. Rural costumes. Scenes rural ex* 
terior and interior. An adventurer obtains a large sum of money 
from a farm house through the intimidation of the farmer's 
niece, whose husband he claims to be. Her escapes from the 
wiles of the villain and his female accomplice are both starting 
and novel. 

A WHITE MOUNTAIN BOY. A Strong Melodrama in 
Five Acts, by Charles Townsend. For seven males and four 
females, and three supers. Time, two hours and twenty minutes. 
One exterior, three interiors. Costumes easy. The hero^ a 
country lad, twice saves the life of a banker's daughter, which 
results in their betrothal. A scoundrelly clerk has the banker 
in his power, but the White Mountain boy finds a way to check- 
mate his schemes, saves the banker, and wins the girl 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



Maisie at the Movies 



A Monologue 



By 
GERTRUDE S. WELTON 




PHILADELPHIA 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

1922 



\5 lo 



COPYRIGHT 1922 BY THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 



Maisie at the Movies 



m I i 1922 

©CI.A6619 66 



Maisie at the Movies 



CHARACTER 



A Shop-Girl. She is overdressed, wears her hair in 
extreme fashion and her nose is 
powdered white. She is chewing 
gum vigorously. 



Maisie at the Movies 



(Gropes way down aisle and pauses — addresses com- 
panion Lilian.) S'awful dark in here, ain't it, Lil? 
I think I see a coupla seats in here. Pardon me. 
(Climbs over two or three seats and settles self.)* 
Y'gonna take yer hat off, Lilian ? Let's slink down in 
the seats and take a chance — our hats is so small any- 
how; in fact I thought the very day I bought the hat 
that it would be so small that I wouldn't hafta take it 
off in the movies. 

I hope this ain't a sad picture, Lilian, because I'm 
sure to cry over it. I'm so sympathetic, Lilian, and I'm 
worse ever since Joe and I had our falling out — I cry 
at the least thing — not that I care so much about Joe, 
y'understand, only it's made me so sympathetic or 
somethin'. Ma says I'm a fool but I donno. Joe was 
a nice fella but it was his fault a'course. 

(Looks frantically from left to right in an effort to 
see the picture.) Good-night, Lilian, that man cer- 
tainly takes his time taking his coat off. You'd think 
it was glued to him, in fact you'd think any man with 
any sense would take his coat off before he gets in 
front of the whole show and makes you break your 
neck trying to see the picture, but then, I don't care so 
much for these comedy things anyway. 

(Turns to person behind her.) Did you speak to 
me? My hat — it's in your way? Well, can you beat 
that, Lilian? Some people are mighty fussy, believe 
me. 

Thank goodness this crazy comedy is over. What 
didja say the feature picture was ? Oo-o, The Haunted 
House-Boat ! Why, Lilian, I've seen this picture. No, 

5 



6 MAISIE AT THE MOVIES 

we won't go out — it's a swell picture — you'll be crazy 
about it, Lilian, it has such an original plot — so differ- 
ent from anything you ever saw before. Y'see the 
fella that takes the part of the crook is the hero but he 
really isn't a crook at all. You'll love this picture, 
Lilian. Just wait now — look, that's him. Ain't he 
grand though? His eyes is just like Joe's. In fact he 
reminds me terribly of Joe. And look there, see the 
butler? Well, he's the one who really takes the jewels 
in the end and he plays so innocent all the time you'd 
never think it. Why, the first time I seen this picture 
I was so surprised. Yeh, that's the heroine. She 
wears the swellest clothes you ever seen. Wait until 
you see the dress she wears in the ballroom scene — 
gee, it's a dream — no back to it and only one strap to 
hold it up — I mean what there is of the waist to it — 
only one strap to hold it up besides her strength of will. 
The ballroom scene is where she loses the pearls and 
the diamond bracelet and every one thinks the hero 
done it, but it's really the butler after all. The butler 
is the real crook, Lilian. 

Then this House-Boat that's supposed to be haunted 
all the time is really the hiding place for all these 
crooks. See, that's the House-Boat now. Gee, Lil, I 
get so excited when I think about the awful fight they 
have on it at the end of the picture. That's when you 
discover that the hero isn't a crook at all — he's from 
the Police Department and the butler is the real crook. 
Any minute you'd think the butler will kill him but he 
doesn't. 

See that fella with the black moustache — well, he's 
another one of the crooks and he ties the girl to the 
railroad track just as the train is coming. No — I'm 
wrong, it isn't him that ties her to the track, it's the 
half-breed. Yeh, that's who it is. I kinda forgot it. 
Y'see, the half-breed is really the brother of the butler, 
who isn't a half-breed — he's a whole-breed, or whatever 
you call it — I mean the half-breed is the whole-breed's 
half-brother. I mean the half-breed had an Indian 
mother, y'see, so that made 'em only half-brothers — 
if you get what I mean. 



MAISIE AT THE MOVIES 7 

The butler is the brains of the jewel-robbing gang 
and the half-breed'll do anything he tells him because 
he hasn't got so much brains on account of his being a 
half-breed, y'know. 

This is the sad part, Lil — see, the hero's mother is 
going to die now. Gee, I hope I don't cry. (Blinks.) 
Don't he look just like Joe now — look, Lil — ain't he 
the picture of Joe? Yeh, you said it, why did we have 
a falling out? I suppose it was my fault a little bit, 
but you really couldn't blame me for getting sore. 
Joe's an awful nice fella though. Look, Lilian, she's 
going to die now just as soon as she falls on the floor. 
Ain't it sad? (Fumbles in pocket.) Lil, have you got 
a handkerchief ? Thanks, I didn't bring none. (Dabs 
at eyes.) Gee, I wish I wasn't so sympathetic. 

Good-night, Lil, I dropped my hat. (Gropes about 
on floor, sits up and accepts hat from neighbor on oppo- 
site side. ) Oh, thank you ever so ( Opens mouth 

and stares in astonishment.) Joe — you been sitting 
here all the time ? And I never knew it ; I never knew 
you were there at all. Gee, you surprised me so I 
guess I swallowed my gum. Lilian, look what was 
sitting right here beside us and me none the wiser. 
Yeh, I remember I said I'd never speak to you again, 
Joe, but I've forgotten all about that now. I wasn't 
really mad, Joe. I just met Lil this afternoon and we 
thought we would go to the movies but I've seen this 
picture before. Y'see the butler is really the crook and 
the hero is from the Police Department and this House- 
Boat is really the hiding place for (Turns to 

usher in aisle.) Whadja say? We gotta stop talk- 
ing or leave ? Can you beat that ! Don't worry, little 
Sunshine, we'll leave all right. I've seen the picture 
anyway. Cmon, Joe. (Slams on hat, climbs out into 
aisle.) Now I ask you, Lil, have I said two words 
since we been in here? You said it — I ain't said a 
word — not — a — word. Believe me, some nerve ! 



Unusually Good Entertainments 

Read One or More of These Before Deciding on 
Your Next Program 

GRADUATION DAY AT WOOD HILL SCHOOL. 

An Entertainment in Two Acts, by Ward Macauley. For six 
males and four females, with several minor parts. Time of 
playing, two hours. Modern costumes. Simple interior scenes;* 
may be presented in a hall without scenery. The unusual com** 
&>ination of a real "entertainment/' including music, recitations^,' 
etc., with an interesting love story. The graduation exercise! 
include short speeches, recitations, songs, funny interruptions. 
and a comical speech by a country school trustee. 

EXAMINATION DAY AT WOOD HILL SCHOOL. 

An Entertainment in One Act, by Ward Macauley. Eight malt 
and six female characters, with minor parts. Plays one hour r 
Scene, an easy interior, or may be given without scenery. Cos- 
tumes, modern. Miss Marks, the teacher, refuses to marry a 
trustee, who threatens to discharge her. The examination in- 
cludes recitations and songs, and brings out many funny answers 
to questions. At the close Robert Coleman, an old lover, claims 
the teacher. Very easy and very effective. 

BACK TO THE COUNTRY STORE. A Rural Enter- 
tainment in Three Acts, by Ward Macauley. For four male 
and five female characters, with some supers. Time, two hours. 
Two scenes, both easy interiors. Can be played effectively with- 
out scenery. Costumes, modern. All the principal parts are 
sure hits. Quigley Higginbotham, known as "Quig," a clerk in 
a country store, aspires to be a great author or singer and 
decides to try his fortunes in New York. The last scene is in 
Quig's home. He returns a failure but is offered a partnership 
in the country store. He pops the question in the midst of a 
surprise party given in his honor. Easy to do and very funny. 

THE DISTRICT CONVENTION. A Farcical Sketch 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For eleven males and one 
female, or twelve males. Any number of other parts or super- 
numeraries may be added. Plays forty-five minutes. No special 
scenery is required, and the costumes and properties are all 
easy. The play shows an uproarious political nominating con- 
vention. The climax comes when a woman's rights cham- 
pion, captures the convention. There is a. great chance to bur- 
lesque modern politics and to work in local gags. Every j 
part will make a hit. 

SI SLOCUM'S COUNTRY STORE. An Entertainment 
4n One Act, by Frank Dumont. Eleven male and five female 
characters with supernumeraries. Several parts may be doubled. 
Plays one hour. Interior scene, or may be played without set 
scenery. Costumes, modern. The rehearsal for an entertain- 
ment in the village church gives plenty of opportunity for 
specialty work. A very jolly entertainment of the sort adapted 
to almost any place or occasion. 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 



Successful Plays for All Girls 

In Selecting Your Next Play Do Not Overlook This List 

YOUNG DOCTOR DEVINE. A Farce in Two Acts„ 
by Mrs. E. J. H. Goodfellow. One of the most popular 
plays for girls. For nine female characters. Time in 
playing, thirty minutes. Scenery, ordinary interior. Mod 
era costumes. Girls in a boarding-school, learning that a 
young doctor is coming to vaccinate all the pupils, eagerly con 
suit each other as to the manner o-f fascinating the physician, 
When the doctor appears upon the scene the pupils discover that 
the physician is a female practitioner. 

SISTER MASONS. A Burlesque in One Act, by Frank 
Dumont. For eleven females. Time, thirty minutes. Costumes, 
fantastic gowns, or dominoes. Scene, interior. A grand expose 
of Masonry. Some women profess to learn the secrets of a 
Masonic lodge by hearing their husbands talk in their sleep, 
and they institute a similar organization. 

A COMMANDING POSITION. A Farcical Enter 
tainment, by Amelia Sanford. For seven female chat 
acters and ten or more other ladies and children. Time, one 
hour. Costumes, modern. Scenes, easy interiors and one street 
scene. Marian Young gets tired living with her aunt, Miss 
Skinflint. She decides to "attain a commanding position,' 
Marian tries hospital nursing, college settlement work and 
school teaching, but decides to go back to housework. 

HOW A WOMAN KEEPS A SECRET. A Comedy 
in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For ten female characters 
Time, half an hour. Scene, an easy interior. Costumes, modern 
Mabel Sweetly has just become engaged to Harold, but it's "the 
deepest kind of a secret." Before announcing it they must win 
the approval of Harold's uncle, now in Europe, or lose a possible 
ten thousand a year. At a tea Mabel meets her dearest friend 
Maude sees Mabel has a secret, she coaxes and Mabel tells her 
But Maude lets out the secret in a few minutes to another 
friend and so the secret travels. 

THE OXFORD AFFAIR. A Comedy in Three Acts 
by Josephine H. Cobb and Jennie E. Paine. For eight female 
characters. Plays one hour and three-quarters. Scenes, inter 
iors at a seaside hotel. Costumes, modern. The action of the 
play is located at a summer resort. Alice Graham, in order to 
chaperon herself, poses as a widow, and Miss Oxford first claims 
her as a sister-in-law, then denounces her. The onerous duties 
of Miss Oxford, who attempts to serve as chaperon to Miss 
Howe and Miss Ashton in the face of many obstacles, furnisb 
an evening of rare enjoyment. 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



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A catalogue giving full information as to how any of these 
accomplishments may be attained will be sent free on request 

THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF 
ELOCUTION AND ORATORY 

4012 Chestnut Street Philadelphia 




